Hotel Gutsmann
The Hotel Gutsmann was opened in 1958 in the town of Bad Bramstedt in northern Germany and quickly developed into one of the most renowned hotels in the region. As a modern spa and conference hotel with 141 rooms, a spacious wellness area and a fitness studio on four floors, it attracted numerous guests, including prominent personalities such as the Spanish King Juan Carlos in 1971.
From the 1960s to the 1980s, the hotel was a social hub in the town. It not only served spa guests, but was also a popular venue for events such as weddings, anniversaries and birthday parties. The hotel's own restaurant “Schwemme” was known for its
upscale home cooking and convivial atmosphere.
The economic decline of the hotel began with the health reforms at the end of the 1990s and the decline of the traditional spa business. After being sold by the Gutsmann family, the building changed hands several times. Following a fire in 2013, the hotel finally ceased operations and the building has stood empty ever since.
On March 10, 2025, there was a devastating fire in which the entire upper floor and roof truss of the empty hotel were engulfed in flames. Around 200 firefighters worked for over eleven hours to extinguish the fire. Due to the risk of collapse, the extinguishing work could only be carried out from the outside. The police are investigating on suspicion of arson, as a technical defect has been ruled out.
Today, the ruins of the Hotel Gutsmann stand as a so-called “lost place” in the middle of Bad Bramstedt. The future of the site is uncertain, although there are plans to build a residential quarter there. The town is trying to find a solution, but so far the future is unclear.
Visited: February 14, 2021
Location: Bad Bramstedt, Germany
Status: Abandoned
